MOTIVATIONS FOR CONTINUALLY PLAYING Pokémon GO AMONG VARIOUS PLAYER GROUPS

Abstract

This study conducted in-depth interviews with experienced players of the mobile game Pokémon GO (PG) and referenced the literature to identify 12 continual playing motivations and 8 factors that increase attachment. Questionnaire responses from 299 players who continually played PG were collected to identify the differences among different player groups. The findings of this study are as follows. (a) Different player groups had distinct behavioral motivations for playing PG. Players without playmates were driven by individual motivations, whereas those with specific or nonspecific playmates were driven primarily by interpersonal motivations and secondarily by gaming task experiences. (b) Analysis of specific motivations revealed that the player groups differed significantly with our continual playing motivations, namely “killing time,” “relaxation,” “playing (discussing) PG with close ones,” and “playing as a habit.” The player groups also exhibited different levels of social interaction needs. (c) The player groups noted different expectations regarding elements that can increase game attachment to PG. Specifically, players without playmates identified changes in the game's content and introduction of fresh elements as the most crucial factors. By contrast, Players with specific or nonspecific playmates wanted more cooperative mechanisms for players.